Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from apparently healthy humans and animals in Maiduguri, Nigeria

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from apparently healthy humans, sheep, goats and cattle. A total of 250 samples were collected, 130 was from humans, 40 each from sheep, goats and cattle respectively. The prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus from humans was 52.3%, sheep 42.5%, goats 30.0% and cattle 37.5%. The overall isolation rate was 44.8%. Human were found to harbour more S. aureus than the animals. The isolates were tested against 13 antimicrobial agents. Of these, Ciproxin, Norfloxacin, Rifampicin, Streptomycin, and Erythromycin showed the highest activity against S. aureus while Cefotaxime, Ceftazimide and Ampiclox showed least activity. It was concluded that Ciproxin, Norfloxacin, Rifampicin, Streptomycin, and Erythromycin may be the drug of choice in the treatment of infections caused by S. aureus.